GTC West baseball battles well documented among All-Advertiser team

It was a two thumbs up kind of baseball season in the Greater Thumb West this year, with a carryover effect on the 2018 All-Advertiser team. The only thing missing was more thumbs.

Thumbs one and two are reserved for the accolades of both Vassar and Unionville-Sebewaing Area, who were in decidedly different positions when the postseason rolled around.

Vassar had just won the league title outright, sweeping its doubleheader with the Patriots along the way. USA was coming off sharing the 2017 league championship with Reese and also its first Division 4 semifinal appearance, but struggled to recapture its form from the previous season along the way to a 4-6 league finish that fell short of expectations.

USA coach Tyler Bader credits the strength of the conference and adversity the Patriots faced within league play among the key reasons why they were able to flip a switch in the postseason and, ultimately, play on to the Division 4 state finals for the first time, going one step further than they did the previous year. For USA, competing against bigger conference schools among the Division 3 ranks during the regular season can lead to some difficult stretches that become a badge of honor to persevere through come playoff time.

Coaches of the local GTC West teams can agree on one thing: USA’s regular-season slump on the heels of a 7-1 start had more to do with the league competition it was facing than any significant issues plaguing the Patriots

Vassar coach Jason Hahn was previously an assistant to Bader at USA before later taking over as head coach of the Vulcans in 2017. The two men remain good friends to this day, and their good-natured game of one-upsmanship escalated to some pretty significant stakes, with Vassar winning the league followed by a Division 3 district title and USA dusting itself off after the setback and proceeding to win its first six postseason games.

On the all-area first team roster for USA are seniors Cooper Kauffold, Brendan Prime and Hunter Bohn. First-team representatives for the Vulcans are seniors Steven Hecht and Collin Bowden.

Cass City had as much say in the final outcome of the GTC West as any team, but losses to Reese and Laker High thwarted its bid for the title. However, as was the case with both Vassar and USA, the Red Hawks were battle tested in time for the playoffs and put those lessons that were learned to good use by winning a Division 3 district title.

Making the all-area first team from Cass City are junior Luke Stern and sophomore Kendall Anthes.

Not to be forgotten for the impact it had on the final GTC West standings, Reese swept a doubleheader from Cass City to give Vassar the outright league title despite the Vulcans having been swept by the Red Hawks to account for their lone league losses. A walk-off hit by all-area first-teamer Tony Wark made it all possible for the Rockets.

While the Tri-Valley East didn’t see the same type of team success as the GTC West in terms of winning a district or more, there were a few of its players that’d be a welcome addition to any team, as seniors Steven Strachan of Caro, Lukas Selich of Millington and Austin Johnson of Frankenmuth highlighted their respective teams’ efforts this year.

Selich leaves Millington as one of its most decorated athletes in both baseball and football.

He holds five offensive school baseball records: single-season doubles (15 this year), single-season RBIs (46 in 2017), single-season hit-by-pitches (11 this year), career hits (124) and career RBIs (84). He’s also second in program history in single-season batting average (.535 in 2017), single-season hit-by-pitches (10 in 2017), career batting average (.434), career doubles (39) and career hit-by-pitches.

Strachan allowed just three earned runs from the pitcher’s mound all season for the Tigers, and Johnson was a dual-threat for the Eagles who was as equally adept with the bat as he was when called on to pitch.

Coach Tyler Bader: “He was the backbone of our team as a four-year catcher for me. He was the power bat in our lineup, and had over 40 hits in each of his last two years while finishing top two on the team in RBIs. He’s one of those guys you’ve really got to worry about as a pitcher.”

Coach Tyler Bader: “A kid that I loved having on the team, he was lightning in a bottle. He’s going to make big plays in key moments for you. He set the tone for us as our leadoff guy with good speed and athleticism. He was great for us when called on to pitch. On some teams, he could’ve been a number one or number two pitcher.”

Coach Tyler Bader: “He was our power arm and anchored our pitching staff this year. He built off what were some great numbers for him last year and got stronger as the season went on. He hit his stride at the right time of the season and it helped us out a lot.”

Coach Jason Hahn: “We knew coming into this season that Steve was going to be a big part of our success, both pitching and offensively, and we had those same expectations of him last year. To Steven’s credit, he handled all that pressure and had a heck of a season for us. There aren’t many (high-school) players who can strike out over 100 people and hit over .450; those are amazing stats.”

Coach Jason Hahn: “He’s a kid with a tremendous work ethic that the hard work’s really paid off for over the years. His bat really came along this year. Against both USA and Bay City Central this year, those teams chose to intentionally walk Steven Hecht to pitch to Collin with runners on base, and he came up with a clutch double in both situations. He thrives in those pressure situations.”

Name: Steven Strachan

School: Caro

Grade: 12

Position: P

Stats: 9-1 with one save in 45 innings pitched; allowed just three earned runs this season, good for a 0.47 ERA with 72 strikeouts and 16 walks

College: Hillsdale (baseball)

Coach Victor Gomez: “Steven was a team leader and a force on the mound for us this season. He’s the type of player who always gives his all and leaves everything out on the field. It was a pleasure having him be a part of the Caro baseball program.”

Coach Chris Dipzinski: “Lukas was a four-year starter for us. His bat is the reason we brought him up as a freshman; he led the team in hitting that year and has continued to hit since. He never gives in at the plate, and always looks for his pitch. His shoes will be hard to fill next year. I wish him all the luck as he transitions on to college ball.”

Coach Jacob Purman: “Tony was a phenomenal leader for us this season. He led the team with his bat, coming up big in key situations for us, including a walk-off against Cass City in a big conference battle. He also did a great job defensively for us at first base. He’s the type of player every coach wants to have on his team.”

Name: Austin Johnson

School: Frankenmuth

Grade: 12

Position: 1B/P

Stats: Hit .425 with five doubles, a triple, 33 RBIs, 21 runs scored and 13 stolen bases; 5-1 as a pitcher with a 3.11 ERA

Coach Gordon Culver: “Coming off a junior year that had some rough patches, Austin stepped up to not only be an offensive leader, but one of our most competitive and focused players. By the end of the season, he was one of the guys I knew would step up in big situations and help lead us to victory.”